Trucks and SUV's

J

JP4RNR

New member
It seems that Trucks and SUV's dominate the road today but as gas prices increase I think the days of the large truck SUV's will soon be the minority on the road.

I heard some news reports on how the value of high end SUV's that sold in the 50-60 thousand range a couple years ago have depreciated to the high 30's or 40-50% depreciation as the new and used SUV and truck market have encountered lack luster sales across the board in the second quarter of 2008
 
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There are obviously people who need a truck, van or SUV for hauling stuff, for work or other necessary reasons. They'll obviously pay more fuel costs in order to do so - by sheer necessity.

However, there are going to be quite a lot of folks who will be thinking about 'trading down' for their next vehicle purchase. Another idea is to keep the gas-chugger for weekends and buy a small car for commuting duty.

The important thing is to let market forces dictate it, rather than government meddling or interference.


 
Yup...my SUV is now serving as my house watchdog. :( 13 mpg on premium is not gonna work well these days! I can't trade it in because it probably is worth less than a Camry! :bash:
 
I think the market will still be pretty modest for our smaller and mid-sized buggies like our beloved 4Runners.

I can still get about 20-22 MPG on mine as I have adjusted my driving style after being blessed to NOT receive a $200 speeding ticket for being stupid.

I thin kthe days of Excursions, Tahoes, Yukons, Expeditions, and even the full-sized pick-ups are numbered. They won't make anywhere near as many of them as they will just rot on the lot.

I have considered trading in the 4runner, but since I plan on moving to the Rocky Mountains in the next couple of years I'll probably just end up buying one again. Besides for long trips we have a Subaru that gets about 30 on the highway. Besides, I need something to haul the kayaks and bikes around on.
 
My next vehicle will more than likely be a car but I definitely want to keep my runner. If I could afford to keep 2 vehicles now then I would. Like Jeff said, I think the SUVs will be viewed as more of recreational vehicles than daily drivers in the future and sales are sure to reflect.
 
I'm driving my 4Runner , no matter what gas prices are. Buying a $10,000 - $ 20,000 vehichle to save money on gas does not make much sence. It'll take decade to pay for itself in gas saving.
 
Jeff Kleb said:

There are obviously people who need a truck, van or SUV for hauling stuff, for work or other necessary reasons. They'll obviously pay more fuel costs in order to do so - by sheer necessity.

However, there are going to be quite a lot of folks who will be thinking about 'trading down' for their next vehicle purchase. Another idea is to keep the gas-chugger for weekends and buy a small car for commuting duty.

The important thing is to let market forces dictate it, rather than government meddling or interference.
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+1

I think you are going to see far less SUVs driven as discretionary choices now. Practical necessity will become far more prevalent.
 
<<<< said:
I'm driving my 4Runner , no matter what gas prices are. Buying a $10,000 - $ 20,000 vehichle to save money on gas does not make much sence. It'll take decade to pay for itself in gas saving.
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:iagree:
 
<<<< said:
I'm driving my 4Runner , no matter what gas prices are. Buying a $10,000 - $ 20,000 vehichle to save money on gas does not make much sence. It'll take decade to pay for itself in gas saving.
Click to expand...

:iagree: exactly. Lose thousands now to save a few hundred at the pump. Forget it. Besides I'm getting 20mpg, so I'm not going to complain. I feel sorry for the H2 guys.
 

Even when gasoline was "cheap" three years ago, I still saved money by leasing my 4Runner and keeping my paid-off Nissan Sentra for commuting duties. Also, fuel costs aside, having an older economical car allows me to keep mileage down on the "new" car -- and reducing my lease payment as well.

Sure, I am not building any equity - but at least I can drive a different new car every 2 or 3 years with a relatively low payment (compared to financing for five years).

If you are decent enough about cutting some expenses elsewhere (packing breakfast & lunch for work, etc.) and watch unnecessary nickel and dime nonsense, you'd be surprised at how easy it is to cough up a car payment.

I'm glad to have leased my '08 Mustang GT, as the high price of fuel will hurt its value as a used car. That being said, I really feel sorry for some of those people who bought those huge, mega-V8 SUVs that get 10 to 12 mpg. They'll be upside-down for the entire life of the loan!
:bash:


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"If I would have known how much fun grandchildren are, I would have had them first!" -- my mother, after a visit with my son and my brother's kids
 
I have a feeling that in the 4 wheel drive version of the 4runner, Toyota will make it switchable between 2HI and 4HI/4LOW. Instead of 4HI to 4LOW. I bet that if mine had that option I would get like 2 or 3 mpg better.
 
Muffin-Man said:
I have a feeling that in the 4 wheel drive version of the 4runner, Toyota will make it switchable between 2HI and 4HI/4LOW. Instead of 4HI to 4LOW. I bet that if mine had that option I would get like 2 or 3 mpg better.
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I doubt that since your shafts from the wheels to the front axle and your front drive shaft still turn while you drive even though the drive shaft is not engaged at the transfer case. The only way for that not to happen is if we had locking/un-locking front hubs (either electronic or manual) and the 4R does not have that. That is why the V6/V8 or so close in milage even though they V6 has the 2wd selector switch it still turns . Im sure it may help , how much I do not know and I would be all for the v8 having that option, every little bit helps now a days with gas .
 
3 runners on last Mondays run Gas mileage

Hey Falls et-all

From last Mondays run, Ruffian is a V8 and I think both Simple and I have V6 units.

I think the total gas mileage difference was like 2 mpg or there abouts

4.0 L V6 Vs 4.7 L V8 and 2WD Vs 4WD Full time

Having ridden for about 12 hours in Ruffian a few weeks back, I know that the power difference between the V8 and V6 is dramatic. And then to be really cool, there is the sound of that V8

Fantastic

Kinda wish Id bought one when I got mine, but oh well
 
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Re: 3 runners on last Mondays run Gas mileage

magnumfan said:
Hey Falls et-all

From last Mondays run, Ruffian is a V8 and I think both Simple and I have V6 units.

I think the total gas mileage difference was like 2 mpg or there abouts

4.0 L V6 Vs 4.7 L V8 and 2WD Vs 4WD Full time

Having ridden for about 12 hours in Ruffian a few weeks back, I know that the power difference between the V8 and V6 is dramatic. And then to be really cool, there is the sound of that V8

Fantastic

Kinda wish Id bought one when I got mine, but oh well
Click to expand...

Yeah but 2mpgs better can equal quite a bit of money saved, especially if your like me and drive about 10k miles a year.
 
From all the various threads about V6 vs V8 it's well established that there
 
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